“It won’t take more than a week or two if the weather cooperates, and you’ll have a spacious beer garden.”

Greer was the contractor who’d headed up my expansion of Zeke’s Joint, and though the beer garden wasn’t a big job, he’d jumped at the opportunity.

“After the good work you did inside this place, I’m okay with waiting a week or two, Greer.” It had taken more than a year to add booth seating, more tables, and even a stage for the next phase of my business plan in a few years. But Greer’s men did a great job, and the town had turned out for me in a big way. Hell, even folks from some of the surrounding towns had come in, happy to find someplace to get craft beers and good food. “Now go on home to that pretty wife of yours and enjoy your weekend.”

“Yeah, I’m going as soon as I get a few more measurements. Don’t be too surprised to see us up here. Suzie is eager to try the new menu items folks have been writing up on the Facebook page.”

I blinked because that was news to me. “People are talking about my menu on Facebook?” That was the first I’d heard of it.

Greer nodded with a wide, amused grin. “Yep. Vivi said your bacon cheeseburger was orgasmic, and the Mayor said it was the best meatloaf he’d ever had.”

“No shit.” I knew my place was the most popular place in town, and now that we served food, profits continued to climb. But I didn’t think the bar had an online presence. It was always packed though, and people kept coming back from more.

Most people, I amended silently, because everyone but Maddie made regular visits during the week. She only came when Vivi forced the issue, like she’d done a few days ago. Clearly Maddie was quite content to never set eyes on me again, and I couldn’t really blame her. Maybe a little, but most of it was on me.

“You okay, Zeke?”

I blinked at Greer, who was looking at me like I’d lost my mind. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about a million different things that need to be done.” There was always something to attend to, but I had competent, reliable employees. “See you later,” I told him and left. The lunch rush was over so the place would be quiet until the after-work crowd began to filter in, but my manager could handle it. That’s why I hired him.

“You leavin’, Boss?” Nate stood near the bar looking over the schedule.

“Yep. You have it all under control, but call if you need help.”

“Will do, but maybe you should turn off the phone and have some fun. All work and no play, as they say…”

I rolled my eyes at the familiar refrain I’d heard too many times to count over the past few months since Maddie had kicked me to the curb. “Right.” I jumped on my motorcycle and made my way to my best friend’s house, certain I wouldn’t interrupt a visit with Maddie who was likely at her shop this time of day.

Things had been a little tricky since things between us went sideways. So, I was happy when I showed up and found Nash in the backyard watching Norah and her friends, which included Max.

“Hey man, what’s up?”

Nash looked up at me with the same casual smile that hadn’t faded since he’d hooked up with Vivi. “Well if it’s not the most successful restauranteur in Belle Musique.”

“Pretty sure I need more than one restaurant to qualify as a restauranteur. What’s going on here?”

“Norah and some of her cast are going over some scene changes.” He said it so easily, as though it was totally normal for kids that age to put on full play productions. “What brings you by?”

I shrugged and took the seat beside him. “Figured this was the best time to catch you free. Guess I was wrong again.”

“Still avoiding Maddie, huh?”

“Yep. It’s for the best, I suppose.” I didn’t really believe that, but what could I really do about it?

“Bullshit. Don’t be a dumbass, Zeke. Anyone with two working eyeballs can tell that you actually care about Maddie. Hell you’re the saddest bastard in town these days.” He shook his head like he was disappointed in me, which was a first, because Nash had the dad thing down pat, even with me. Always encouraging and understanding. “You want her so do something about it and put all of us out of our misery.”

“Oh, I’m sorry that my disastrous love life is inconveniencing you.”

“You should be. Vivi came back from lunch with Maddie in a terrible mood. Said Maddie’s pissed at her for butting in between the two of you. You know, she hasn’t been to the house in months other than to drop off Max.” Nash sighed and sat up, looking me right in the eyes. “Viv’s done everything she could to convince Maddie to talk to you, and it’s only made her angry and withdrawn. She’s Vivi’s best friend, Zeke.”

I got his implication loud and clear. “I never asked Vivi to do anything on my behalf, and maybe if she’d let it go, Maddie might come around more often.” I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that wasn’t at least half true, because I’d seen the way she stormed off after I left their table. “Look Nash, I’m not the bad guy, and I’m of being treated like I am. I never made Maddie any promises, and I didn’t do anything wrong.”

He laughed sarcastically at that. If he were anyone else, it would have earned him a bloody nose. “It’s your fault, because you’re the one who got scared of your feelings and ran like a little girl, hurting my wife’s best friend in the process. That’s just a guess, though. I could be wrong.” His tone said he didn’t think he was, and dammit, he was probably right.

I had hurt Maddie, yes, but it was unintentional. Shayla was an aggressive divorcee who didn’t like to hear the word ‘no’. And she rarely did from me, until that day at the bar. “Maybe I did, but maybe Maddie saw what she wanted, giving her the perfect excuse to end things. Didn’t think of that, did you?”

“I didn’t,” he admitted honestly. “And I’m sorry, but according to Vivi you didn’t try all that hard to resist the woman’s advances.”

That much was true, but I had my reasons, not that anyone would believe them. “I didn’t want to embarrass Shayla. She’s a nice woman, and we had some good times together. I wanted to be respectful.”

“That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard, man. That’s like worrying about your mistress’ feelings above your wife, stupid and wrong. Not that I’d recommend having a mistress either.” Nash’s laughter pissed me off again, but he was right. “So tell me again, how you’re not the bad guy here, kissing another woman in front of at least half the town.”

That’s exactly how Maddie had seen it too, and why she refused to talk to me at all. “So there’s no excuse?”

“Absolutely none. Groveling is your only option if you want another chance.”

I did, but it was too late, and I was determined to accept that, no matter how hard it was. I was lost, deep in thought when I heard my name being called. “Zeke! Zeke! You’re here.” Max darted across the yard, swiftly dodging a soccer ball and what looked like a few props as he made his way over, slamming into me. “I haven’t seen you in forever!”

I laughed at his exaggerated words, but I couldn’t deny how good it felt that someone actually wanted me around. “You just saw me last week, man.”

Max pulled back and shoved his glasses back up on his nose with a wide grin. “Yeah but you were doing grownup stuff with Uncle Nash. Can we hang out, or are you still too busy?”

Damn this kid could cut you down to the quick with his big blue eyes, hidden behind long blond curls. “Too busy?”

He nodded. “Mama said you’ve been really busy, and that’s why you haven’t been around in a long time. A long, long time,” he added for emphasis.

I didn’t know whether to hug Maggie for that, or shake her silly. “Next time Nash gets hungry, tell him to bring you in so you can see my new restaurant.”

Big blue eyes cut to Nash filled with hope. “Can we?”

Nash laughed, but he shot me a glare over the kid’s head. “If your mama says it’s all right, then we’ll do it.”

“All right!” Max flung himself at me one last time, squeezing hard. “I missed you, Zeke.”

And that just split me wide open, there in Nash and Vivi’s backyard. “I missed you too, kid.” In that moment I fully realized the implications of what I’d done, and why Maddie had been so reluctant to start up anything with me in the first place.

“Not open yet!” I called out as the bell Nate had insisted I put above the door chimed, signaling that someone had come inside. I should have locked the door to prevent that from happening, but I just signed for the last two deliveries and my hands were literally full.

“It’s okay, I know the owner.” I knew that voice anywhere, it belonged to the quirkiest character in a town of quirky characters. Belle Musique wasn’t short on oddballs but Mae was my favorite.

After putting the boxes in the kitchen for the prep cooks, I returned to find Mae looking as vibrant as ever in a hot pink caftan trimmed with leopard print, and about a thousand bracelets clanking around her slender arms. A matching pink and leopard print headband tamed her reddish-blond curls that held almost no hints of her fifty plus years of living. As happy as I always was to see the crazy old woman, I was also wary.

“What brings you by Mae?”

She eyed me skeptically, arms crossed, but somehow the bracelets continued to jingle. “I came to see your handsome face, of course.”

I’m sure that was partially true, because I have a great face, or so I’ve been told. “We’re closed right now, but if you have some time, you can give me feedback on new menu items Mick’s working on today.” I bit back a smile when she leaned forward and pinched my cheek.

“Gotta love a man who feeds me. I don’t want to interrupt your work day, but I’m happy to lend my palette to your fine establishment. It’s all anyone can talk about, the fancy beer and the food.” Her gaze slid to the half finished beer garden and she nodded in that direction. “A week from tomorrow we’ll do a cleanse and protection spell for your new space.”

“Oh, Mae that’s sweet but-,”

“No buts, Zeke. You run a place where people drink more than they should, and this town needs your business to thrive.”

I couldn’t argue with that, hell it was one of the reasons I’d left New York more than half a decade ago. This small town was nosy as hell, but man, these people always had your back, and they slowly taught me how to do the same. “Thanks Mae. Grab a seat and I’ll bring us drinks so you can tell me why you’re really here.”

Her laugh sounded behind me, but when I came back from the kitchen, she had her game face on. “You and I have some very important things to discuss, Zeke.”

Sliding into the booth seat across from her, I nodded. “Sounds ominous.” Though with Mae, one never knew.

“I’ve had a talk with the spirits, Zeke, and they tell me things with you and Maddie aren’t quite done yet.”

I would be some kind of head case to believe a word of that. “Why would you say that, Mae? Things have been done for months.”

She shrugged and leaned back against the cushioned booth. “Maybe, but they aren’t done for good. I don’t question the spirits, because even if I did, they won’t tell me until they’re good and ready. Just don’t go running around with your hussies, and things will be okay.”

“My hussies?” I nearly choked on my soda at her words.

She nodded. “That’s what they are, and that’s fine. Hussies have a time and a place, but they’re not forever. Unless,” she arched a brow at me, “you plan to whore around forever?”

Then I did laugh. “It’s not whoring around if you’re single and no money exchanges hands, Mae. Or have things changed so much?” Her eyes sparkled with delight at my answer.

“You really are a charmer. It’s a shame you didn’t use any of it on Maddie.”

I groaned and dropped my head to the table, only moving when Mick brought out his zucchini fritters, sweet potato tots and the cheese and fruit platter for the ladies. “I can’t believe you went there, Mae. I thought you liked me.”

“I do, honey. That’s why I’m trying to help you. If the spirits say it, then I believe it. But humans have a knack for getting in their own away more often than not.”

“Who says I’m looking for forever?” I wasn’t. At least I was pretty sure I wasn’t. Never had been interested in forever, but there’d been something about Maddie that hadn’t made the dreaded ‘R’ word seem so terrifying. She was sexy as hell with curves in all the right places, sweet and caring too, which I’d never really appreciated in a woman until her. And best of all, she hadn’t placed any restrictions on me or my time. And I still managed to blow it, which should be the biggest hint of all that I was out of my depth. “Eat up and let me know what you think, Aunt Mae.”

“I will boy, but don’t think you can distract me with a pretty face and greasy food.” Mae pointed a red fingernail at me and shook her head. “I appreciate the face and the food, but I’m serious about the rest.”

“I hear you loud and clear, darlin’.” I didn’t know what the hell I would do about it, but I guess I had to do something.

Or Mae would make me walk over hot coals, or something equally painful.